Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-10

ner Of the dining-room door, Miss Mackenzie was
IN the place Of honor, conJurfng with teapot and
presents large, portly. WHISPERED man OF very
comfortable and respectable air, who now rose
from his seat and came forward, holding out his
"Good morning, father" said he.
OF the contention OF feeling that ran high In Mr.
Nicnolsons starched bosom no outward sign was
visible, nor did he delay long to make choice OF
conduct Yet In that interval he had reviewed q
great field Of possibilities, both past and future
Whether it was possible he had not been perfectly
wise In his treatment OF John; whether It pos
stole that John was innocent; whether II he turned
suggested Il was possible TO avoid scandal, and
whether, II he went to that extremity, It was pos
siole that Alexander might rebel
limp and dead, into Johns.
An. And then, in an embarrassed silence, all took
xnelr ,P PLACES s and even the paPer-Irom which r
ton daily as he marked the decline OF fnstftu-
| uons-even the paper lay furied by his side.
But presently Flora came to the rescue. She
slid into the silence with technicality asking II
John still took his old inordinate amount OF sugar
Thence 1t was but step to the burning question
OF the day; and In cones little shaken she CON-
mented on the interval since she had last made tea
for the prodigai, and congratulated him on his re-
turn. And them addressing Mr.. Nicholson, she
| congratulated him alsoin manner that defied his
illhumOr; and from that launched into the tale of
Johns misadventures, not without some suitable
Gradually Alexander Joined; between them
whether he would or no, they forced word or two
| from John; and these fell so TREMENDOUSLY, and
spoke so eloquently OF mind oppressed with
dread, that Mr.. Nicholson relented. At length
even he contributed a question, and before the
meal was at an end all four were talking even
Prayers followed, with the servants Gaping at
this newcomer whom no one had admitted; and
clock which was the signal for Mr.. Nicholson's de-
parture.
"John," said he "of course you will stay here.
Be careful not TO excite Maria, II Miss Mackenzie
thinks It desirable that you should see her. Alex
ander, wish to speak with you alone" And then,
not come to the ONCE to-day" said he s.you can
stay ana amuse your brother, and think It would
be respectful to call on Uncle Greig And, blythe
bashfulness), 81 agree to concede the principle OF
| an allowance; and Will consult with DIR. Durie,
who Is quite man OF the world and has sons OF
his own, as to the amount. And, my fne fellow,
SMILE
''Thank you" said Alexander
Before noon a detective had restored to John his
money, and brought news, sad enough In truth,
but perhaps the least sad possible. Alan had been
care Of the termed sutIer He Was daite mad
and instead OF going TO prison, had gone to Morn
ingside Asylum. The murdered man, 1t appeared,
was an evicted tenant who had for nearly a year
pursued his late landlord with threats and insults;
and beyond this, the cause and details OF the
tragedy were lost.
were able TO put dispatch into his hands-'Jno.
V. Nicholson. Randolph Crescent, Edinburg.-
has police Looking for him
Having had this explained to him, the old gentle
man took down the cellar key and departed for
two bottles OF 1920 port Uncle Greig dlned there
that day, and Cousin Robina, and by an odd
chance, Mr.. Macewen; and the presence OF these
strangers relieved what might have been other
wise a somewhat strained relation. Ere they de-
parted, the family was welded once more into a
fair Sembance OF unity.
In the end Of April John led Flora-or, as more
descriptive, Flora led JOhn-tO the altar, II altar
that may be called which was indeed the drawing.
room mantelpiece In Mr.. Nicholson'S house, with
the Rev. Dr. Dure posted on the hearthrug In the
guise OF Hymen's priest.
The last saw or them, on recent visit TO the
North, was at dinner-party In the house OF my
old friend, Gallatly Macbride; and after we had,
In classical phrase, re1oined the ladies' had an
opportunity to Overhear Flora conversing with
another married woman on the much-canvaSsed
matter OF a husbands tobacco.
''Oh, yes!" said she; 81 only allow Mr.. Nicholson
four cigars day. Three he smokes at fixed
times-after meal, you know, my dear; and the
fourth he can take when he likes with any friend
"Bravo!" thought TO mys SELF; "this is the wife
OF my friend john"